Impact of maternal dietary folic acid or choline dietary deficiencies on vascular function in young and middle-aged female mouse offspring after ischemic stroke

Maternal Dietary Deficiencies in Folic Acid and Choline Change Metabolites Levels in Offspring after Ischemic Stroke

Background/objectives: Ischemic stroke is a major health concern, and nutrition is a modifiable risk factor that can influence recovery outcomes. This study investigated the impact of maternal dietary deficiencies in folic acid (FADD) or choline (ChDD) on the metabolite profiles of offspring after ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 32 mice (17 males and 15 females) were used to analyze sex-specific differences in response to these deficiencies. Results: At 1-week post-stroke, female offspring from the FADD group showed the greatest number of altered metabolites, including pathways involved in cholesterol metabolism and neuroprotection. At 4 weeks post-stroke, both FADD and ChDD groups exhibited significant disruptions in metabolites linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotransmission. Conclusions: These alterations were more pronounced in females compared to males, suggesting sex-dependent responses to maternal dietary deficiencies. The practical implications of these findings suggest that ensuring adequate maternal nutrition during pregnancy may be crucial for reducing stroke susceptibility and improving post-stroke recovery in offspring. Nutritional supplementation strategies targeting folic acid and choline intake could potentially mitigate the long-term adverse effects on metabolic pathways and promote better neurological outcomes. Future research should explore these dietary interventions in clinical settings to develop comprehensive guidelines for maternal nutrition and stroke prevention.

Maternal dietary deficiencies in folic acid or choline reduce primary neuron viability after exposure to hypoxia through increased levels of apoptosis

Objective: Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of death and disability globally. By addressing modifiable risk factors, particularly nutrition, the prevalence of stroke and its dire consequences can be mitigated. One-carbon (1C) metabolism is a critical biosynthetic process that is involved in neural tube closure, DNA synthesis, plasticity, and cellular proliferation. Folates and choline are two active components of 1C metabolism. We have previously demonstrated that maternal dietary deficiencies during pregnancy and lactation in folic acid or choline result in worse stroke outcomes in offspring. However, there is insufficient data to understand the neuronal mechanisms involved.Methods: Using C57Bl/6J female mice maintained on control, folic acid (0.3 mg/kg) or choline (choline bitrate 300 mg/kg) deficient diets we collected embryonic primary neurons from offspring and exposed them to hypoxic conditions for 6 hours. To determine whether increased levels of either folic acid or choline can rescue reduced neuronal viability, we supplemented cell media with folic acid and choline prior to and after exposure to hypoxia.Results: Our results suggest that maternal dietary deficiencies in either folic acid or choline during pregnancy negatively impacts offspring neuronal viability after hypoxia. Furthermore, increasing levels of folic acid (250 mg/ml) or choline chloride (250 mg/ml) prior to and after hypoxia have a beneficial impact on neuronal viability.Conclusion: The findings contribute to our understanding of the intricate interplay between maternal dietary factors, 1C metabolism, and the outcome of offspring to hypoxic events, emphasizing the potential for nutritional interventions in mitigating adverse outcomes.

Maternal Dietary Deficiency in Choline Reduced Levels of MMP-2 Levels in Blood and Brain Tissue of Male Offspring Mice

Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and death globally, with a rising incidence in younger age groups. It is well known that maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation is vital for the early neurodevelopment of offspring. One-carbon (1C) metabolism, including folic acid and choline, plays a vital role in closure of the neural tube in utero. However, the impact of maternal dietary deficiencies in 1C on offspring neurological function following ischemic stroke later in life remains undefined. The aim of this study was to investigate inflammation in the blood and brain tissue of offspring from mothers deficient in dietary folic acid or choline. Female mice were maintained on either a control or deficient diet prior to and during pregnancy and lactation. When offspring were 3 months of age, ischemic stroke was induced. One and a half months later, blood and brain tissue were collected. We measured levels of matrix metalloproteases (MMP)-2 and 9 in both plasma and brain tissue, and reported reduced levels of MMP-2 in ChDD male offspring in both tissue types. No changes were observed in MMP-9. This observation supports our working hypothesis that maternal dietary deficiencies in folic acid or choline during early neurodevelopment impact the levels of inflammation in offspring after ischemic stroke.

Maternal dietary deficiency in choline reduced levels of MMP-2 levels in blood and brain tissue of male offspring mice

Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and death globally, with a rising incidence in younger age groups. It's well known that maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation is vital for the early neurodevelopment of offspring. One-carbon (1C) metabolism, including folic acid and choline, plays a vital role in closure of the neural tube in utero. However, the impact of maternal dietary deficiencies in 1C on offspring neurological function following ischemic stroke later in life remains undefined. The aim of this study was to investigate inflammation in blood and brain tissue of offspring from mothers deficient in dietary folic acid or choline. Female mice were maintained on either a control or deficient diets prior to and during pregnancy and lactation. When offspring were 3-months of age, ischemic stroke was induced. One and half months later blood and brain tissue were collected. We measured levels of matrix-metalloproteases (MMP)-2 and 9 in both plasma and brain tissue, and report reduced levels of MMP-2 in both, with no changes observed in MMP-9. This observation supports our working hypothesis that maternal dietary deficiencies in folic acid or choline during early neurodevelopment impact the levels of inflammation in offspring after ischemic stroke.

The Interplay Between Dietary Choline and Cardiometabolic Disorders: A Review of Current Evidence

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Choline is an essential nutrient for human health and cellular homeostasis as it is necessary for the synthesis of lipid cell membranes, lipoproteins, and the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The aim of this review is to analyze the beneficial effects of choline and its significance in cellular metabolism and various inflammatory pathways, such as the inflammasome. We will discuss the significance of dietary choline in cardiometabolic disorders, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) as well as in cognitive function and associated neuropsychiatric disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

Choline deficiency has been related to the development of NAFLD and cognitive disability in the offspring as well as in adulthood. In sharp contrast, excess dietary intake of choline mediated via the increased production of trimethylamine by the gut microbiota and increased trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels has been related to atherosclerosis in most studies. In this context, CVD and CKD through the accumulation of TMAO, p-Cresyl-sulfate (pCS), and indoxyl-sulfate (IS) in serum may be the result of the interplay between excess dietary choline, the increased production of TMAO by the gut microbiota, and the resulting activation of inflammatory responses and fibrosis. A balanced diet, with no excess nor any deficiency in dietary choline, is of outmost importance regarding the prevention of cardiometabolic disorders as well as cognitive function. Large-scale studies with the use of next-generation probiotics, especially Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, should further examine their therapeutic potential in this context.